If you live in Atlanta, you might have already come across Corey Barksdale's paintings in art festivals, galleries, and more recently on some of the walls of the city. This bright African American artist brings life to his designs with great textured colorful elements and creativity. His work reflects his many sources of inspiration, with a focus on music and dance - Jazz music in particular -, urban city life and the love and strength present within the African-American community.
Corey has carried out numerous projects for businesses and individuals throughout Atlanta, and he has participated in art shows all over the United States.
Over the last few years Corey has developed his skills as a mural artist. One of the major projects he recently completed was a 30 feet mural painting for the Beltline, Atlanta's ambitious urban redevelopment project. Rob Brawner, the Atlanta Beltline program director was thrilled with the result, stating that: "Corey was able to bring the Atlanta BeltLine alive through his colorful interpretation of the project." Another much acclaimed mural project he completed this summer was a vast wall painting for the Ben Hill Recreation Center in south Atlanta, as part of the Paint Big project, an initiative by Wonderroot, Living Walls, Dorian McDuffie and the City of Atlanta Office of Recreation.
On another note, but again involving the City of Atlanta, through the Office of Cultural Affairs this time, Corey recently had the honor to be asked to create a painting for the poster of the 35th Atlanta Jazz Festival which will be held during Memorial Day weekend in May 2012. Barksdale says he is excited to have been selected as the official poster artist: "The jazz festival is one of my favorite events to attend and be involved with in Atlanta. The great sound of jazz and interaction of beautiful families inspire me."
Despite being extremely busy with his various projects, Corey is also an artist who cares and he often donates his time and artistic energy to different charities. "It's important to contribute to worthy causes because we all need to support each other at times" he says. "In order to have a strong community we all have to lend a hand to achieve a positive change in our city."
This Summer he participated in a house remodeling with the ABC show Extreme Makeover Home Edition, for the Rucker family in Madison, Georgia. His contribution consisted of a colorful mural painting, for the bedroom of Aniah, an inspiring nine year old girl who lost a leg while saving her little sister from a traffic accident last Spring. Through his painting, representing the music and dance that she used to enjoy before the accident, he hopes to not only bring back some of that music to her life but also to encourage her aspirations as an artist. "Being a part of the creation of Extreme Home Makeover was wonderful," says Barksdale, "there was a synergy of positive and creative energy from talented people who all came together for an important cause: to change the life of an amazing little girl and her family." Aniah was so inspiring to him that he even created a short video tribute to her, portraying her as Wonder Woman. It can be seen on his Youtube channel.
"Every year we are amazed by his talent and generosity!" says Megan Anderson from the Furniture Bank of Atlanta, a charity to which he has been donating art work since 2007.
And indeed, if two words were to be chosen to describe the artist Corey Barksdale, talent and generosity would probably be the most accurate.
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Jason Brammer: Chicago Visual Artistby jasonbrammerart1,061 views
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halfbreed02 2 months ago